Ripping device.



1. B. RIVENBARK'.

RIPPING DEVICE. APPLICATION man Nov. 1o. una.v

l 179,2 1 8. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

JULIA B. RIVENBARK, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

nirrrne DEVICE;

Application led. November 10, 1913.

ing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and,

State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ripping Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is to provide a new, simple and useful improvement in ripping devices, has for its object the provision of such a device which is adapted to be used by tailors, seamstresses, the housewife, or any one having to accomplish the work in ripping open seams and other machine stitching, or hand work.

Another object of my. invention is the provision of a device which is adapted to be worn on the thumb of the user while it is in operation, thus leaving full use of the remaining portion of the hand with which to support and handle the garment, or work in question.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device which is formed of a substantially soft metal to permit the same to be bent around the thumb of the user and adjusted to fit thumbs of different sizes.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a novel means for securing a blade of substantially hard material to the body portion.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my device applied on the thumb and in use; Fig. 2 is a View of the blank from which my improved ripping device is made; Fig. 3 is a view of the blade used in combination with my ripping device; Fig. 4L is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the center of the blade, showing the device in its assembled position; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the ripper as it would appear in its assembled position, Fig. 6 is a rear view of the ripper, assembled, and, Fig. 7 is a modified form of my invention.

With the above and other objects in view I will further describe my invention by referring to the drawings by characters of reference.

My improved ripping device comprises a split ring l which is constructed of readily bendable metal so that it may be adjusted to fit thumbs of various sizes. The ring 1 is Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Serial No. 800,160.

formed from the blank shown in Fig. 2 of*` the drawing, which blank comprises an elongated body 1il of rectangular outline and an extension 2 projecting laterally from one of the side edges of the body at a point centrally between the ends thereof. In practice the extension 2 is bent upon the body l, after which the body is bent to form the ring l. rIhe extension 2 is located within the ring l and providesa stiffening plate which reinforces the ring at the point where the shank 8 of the blade 5 is secured thereto, and which extends over the outer end of the shank 8 so as to prevent the thumb from engaging said end during the application of the ring. The blank 5 is made of tempered steel and comprises a flat body 6 and the shank 8. The body 6 is provided with parallel side cutting edges 7 and an outer end cutting edge 7 a arranged at right angles to the cutting edges 7.- The shank 8 is narrower than the body 6, and at a point above the cutting edges 7 the sides of the body are inclined inwardly in the direction of the shank. When the ring and blade are assembled the shank 8 is located between the stiffening plate 2 and the inner side of.

the ring l, and the blade is secured in position by rivets 9a which pass through openings 3 in the ring l, openings A in the stiifening plate 2 and openings 9 in the shank 8. The body 6 of the blade 5 projects laterally beyond one of the'side edges of the ring l, and the inclined sides of the body extend from the inner ends of the cutting edges 7 to said side edgeof the ring. As the body 6 is straight and as it projects laterally beyond one of the side edges of the ring l, the side cutting edges 7 are located beyond the plane of-the ring 1 in substantial parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the said ring, permitting either of said side edges to be brought squarely into engagement with the threads to be ripped or severed and passed through a seam. As the sides of the body 6 at a point beyond the cutting edges 7 incline inwardly, either of the side edges 7 may be readily passed beyond the garment in ripping or severing the threads. If preferred the end edge 7a may be used instead of either of the side edges 7.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing I have shown a blank from which a modified form of my improved ripping device is constructed. This blank comprises a body 10 of rectangular outline from which the split ring is formed, and an integral extension from which the blade l1 is formed. The blade 1l extends laterally beyond one of they side edges of thering and is provided with parallel side cutting edges 12 and an outer end cutting edge 12L arranged at right angles to the edges l2. At a point above the edges 12 the blade is inclined inwardly in the direction of the side edge of the ring.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing the construction of my improved ripper will be clearly understood, and when in use it is preferred that the ripper be fitted around the thumb of the right hand of the user just covering the first joint which when slightly bent holds the ripper firmly thus leaving the user free use of both hands with which to support or handle the garment containing the seam or stitching which is to be ripped, as clearly shown in Fig. l. This arrangement also exposes the ball of the thumb for use and the side cutting edges are located at the side edges of the thumb and the front cutting edge at the outer end of the thumb, the blade being of suflicient length to enable the band to embrace the thumb at the said joint and secure these results. Now by pulling the hands apart a proper tension may be placed upon the thread forming the seam so that a movement of the device across the thread will sever it very easily.

It will be apparent thatv my ripping device which is of a novel construction greatly facilitates the heretofore laborious task of ripping seams, and other stitching.

1While in the foregoing I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, l wish it to be understood that l may change the specific arrangement of parts without in any way departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

A ripping device comprising a ring, and a flat blade projecting beyond one of the side edges of the ring, said blade being provided with a front cutting edge and having side cutting edges arranged in substantial parallelism with the longitudinal aXis of the ring and lying beyond the planes of the adjacent side portions of the ring whereby either cutting edge may be brought squarely into vengagement with the threads to be ripped or severed and passed through a seam7 said cutting edges being located at the side edges of the thumb and the outer end of the same and the blade being of sufficient length to enable the band to embrace the thumb in rear of the ball thereof.

.ln testimony whereof l afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JULIA. B. RVENBARK.

Witnesses:

C. J. RIVENBARK, Jr., B. R. MOORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained :for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents. Washington, D. C.

G Ll 

